07/12/2013

Moscow's Tverskoi District Court on Thursday found late Hermitage Fund lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and the fund's head, William Browder, guilty of tax evasion charges, saying they fraudulently stole more than $15 million in budget funds.

Corruption in the armed forces cost the state budget more than 4.4 billion rubles ($135 million) in the first six months of the year, showing a 450 percent increase, Chief Military Prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky told a meeting of law enforcement officials Thursday.

It was meant to be a triumphant comeback that would patch up sour diplomatic relations between former Soviet republics and satisfy Russia's thirst for quality wine. But following a six-year ban from the country, Georgian wines are facing an uphill battle in the market and experts say they are unlikely to regain their former glory.

Food retailer X5 Retail Group said Thursday that its second quarter net retail sales rose 7.8 percent, driven by an increase in selling space in its stores, higher prices and better performance of shops added over the past two years.

Russia is interested in adding post-sales maintenance and training to future arms contracts with Malaysia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday in an apparent attempt to gain a competitive edge in an upcoming combat jet tender.